Larissa Judson and Haskell Palmer novel Chapter 628

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” another colleague whispered. “Everyone online is watching this showdown between Ms. Judson and Leopold. If her music is terrible, she’s going to get crucified online.”

Ursa held up her hands to quiet them.

“Let’s have a little faith in Ms. Judson,” she said, trying to sound more confident than she felt. “I’m counting on Starlight Media to succeed so I can get a fat bonus.”

The others fell silent. The release date wasn’t far off. They would all find out soon enough.

...

After Ursa left, Larissa opened a group chat she hadn’t checked in a while: the Regal City Tattler. She tagged Milton Lester.

Larissa: [@Milton Lester: The two-month deadline for our bet is almost up. Starlight Media hasn’t gone bankrupt, and my new music is about to drop. Once it becomes a hit, my value will skyrocket, and the company will be more successful than ever. Have you picked out a leash? Are you ready for your walk?]

A few moments later, Milton replied.

Prodigal Prince: [Your new songs are going to flop so hard they won’t even make a ripple. Stop talking big. I, on the other hand, have already picked out your shoes. Hope you’ve been practicing. You’ll be licking them clean!]

He followed up with a picture of a pair of shoes covered in small metal spikes.

Avril chimed in.

Lucius glanced at Milton but said nothing. It was Theon who spoke up. “Milton, you need something from Mr. Lincoln?”

Milton sidled up to Lucius, a sycophantic grin on his face. “Mr. Lincoln, the deadline for my bet with Larissa is almost here. If I lose, that little bitch is going to walk me around like a dog.”

Initially, Milton had been confident. He’d thought that two months was more than enough time for Lucius to crush anyone he targeted. But over a month had passed, and just as Larissa had said, Starlight Media showed no signs of failing. Gale Entertainment had tried everything: fighting for the rights to “Heaven’s Will”, poaching employees with huge salary offers, fast-tracking a similar TV show, and even stealing Leopold away.

Yet, at every turn, Starlight Media had persevered. The “Heaven’s Will” copyright battle ended when it was revealed Larissa herself was the author. And when they lost a dozen experienced employees, she simply hired five mysterious, highly efficient replacements who answered to no one but her. They had even produced her new music in complete secrecy.

Larissa had been a magnet for controversy since her return, and now, with her music set to release, the entire city was watching. The only good news was that in the online polls, Leopold was still winning by a landslide. People still had faith in him; after all, he was a proven talent on the verge of superstardom.